Before the law allowed senior criminal justice major Sean Langan to drive, smoke or drink, he knew how to safely fire a gun.

Langan grew up around guns; his father is a retired Secret Service officer who participated in competitive shooting during his career with the federal agency.

When he reached middle school age, Langan’s father began to take him hunting, Langan shot in the Scholastic Clay Target Program in high school, and he plans on going into law enforcement after graduation.

“Guns are not a joke and you always treat one with respect, no matter if its loaded or not,” Langan said. “Basically, if you’re pointing a gun at something, you are planning to destroy it, so it’s never to be messed with. I’m a big safety nut; I don’t like to mess around with people who treat guns disrespectfully.”

While he recognizes that he is no expert on handling guns, Langan feels comfortable going to shooting ranges with friends and introducing them to the basics.

But there is one place Langan knows he cannot have and does not want to have a gun: Towson University.

“I think the school’s policy on no weapons is not a bad idea,” he said. “I think a lot of people on college campuses are just not mature enough [to carry a gun]. Personally, just from my past experiences with some students on campus … I just don’t trust everybody. I know it sounds a little mean, but it’s true.”

A new school supply may soon find its way onto college campuses, carried by students as easily as a textbook or pen: concealed weapons.